Monday, March 25, 2013

#Tips to Improving your #Memory #LifesDHA

How's your memory for things? Me? I have selective memory. I have good memory for the most random things, things that I like. Or maybe that's the case for everyone. So, when I was invited to the "Train Your Brain" event with two-time USA Memory Challenge winner, Nelson Dellis, I was interested.
I can remember the fun stuff but it's the boring stuff that drives me up the wall. I was hoping to learn how to improve on that. My method used to consist of writing and rewriting until it was ingrained in me...until after the exam anyways. LOL!

Nelson recited some of the attendee's favorite foods, activities, and cars to prove his memory. This info was all submitted prior to the event. Okay, it was cool but not that cool.

Then they asked him to recite the order of a deck of cards, which he had only started memorizing right before the event. This was done after he gave a couple sessions. As he flew through the deck of cards faster than the person flipping through them with a ridiculous high degree of accuracy a good half hour after he'd memorized them, I was impressed. Although, like most men, he still doesn't remember what his girlfriend says to him or likes. Uh oh, that probably spells trouble!

For Nelson, it comes down to "memory palaces". His tips are to create an area, a path, an adventure and as you walk through that palace in your mind, associate the things you need to memorize with it. You associate a couple things to one area to make it easier to remember. Create vivid scenes, however flashy or vulgar they may be...whatever helps you remember best. One you place that memory, it'll help you visualize it again when you put yourself on a course through that pathway.

He created a test of 10 words for the attendees to remember and associated 2 words at a time to 5 different pathway points in the room. Lo and behold, everyone was able to remember the words and even recite them in reverse order.

In terms of more difficult memory items, he had recommended using groups of 3 to memorize. Create a system to memorize. For example, in terms of playing cards, he creates a name, action, and object for each card. The queen of hearts is his mother. So then when he's memorizing in groups of 3, the first thing gets the name, the 2nd the action, and the 3rd the object. In that way, the memory stays intact and in order.

Besides mental engagement, he also stressed three other factors to his strong memory which included fitness, nutrition, and social well-being.

In terms of nutrition, he eats products high in antioxidants like blueberries and DHA. To keep it simple, DHA is the stuff that helps your brain, eyes, and heart health. It's the essence that you want. According to studies, a high level of DHA intake has been associated with better memory.

You may have seen some of the products he's referring to in stores. Life's DHA produces many products with the algae-based omega 3 compound that's brain healthy like Horizon DHA Omega-3 milk and some of Minute Maid's juices.

Overall, an interesting event and I hope the tips help you and your family in their learning and memory! Let me know if it works for you or how you memorize things.

Disclaimer: I attended a Train Your Brain press event. No other form of compensation was received. Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure, TOS, and privacy policy. Please take the time to enter my other giveaways while you're here.

I can vouch for training the brain. I noticed my license missing and could not remember where I had left it (or lost it). I kept trying to picture where it could be until I realized I left it in the printer after making a copy weeks ago! I do take DHA supplements, so maybe that helped too! great post!

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From the Big Apple to Minneapolis, Cinny is the mommy to JR and Baby Pom. When not working or studying full time, she can be found working on WOS or cuddling with her hubby and playing with her dogs. She is the also the aunt of 3 little nephews.